Ja Morant Out vs. Pelicans with Elbow Injury, Trade Talks Swirl Amid Grizzlies’ Struggles
The Memphis Grizzlies will be without Ja Morant when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night at FedExForum. The star guard has been ruled out due to a left elbow UCL sprain - an injury that comes just as he was starting to find his rhythm again after missing time with a right calf contusion.
Morant had looked like his old self in his last two outings, putting up at least 20 points and 10 assists in each game. He was back to orchestrating the offense with his signature explosiveness and vision, giving Memphis fans a glimpse of what this group can still be when their leader is on the floor.
But late in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks, Morant went up for a chase-down block - a hustle play that’s become part of his DNA - and came down awkwardly after hitting his left elbow on the backboard. He was clearly in discomfort afterward, favoring the arm and limiting its movement during the next possession.
Despite the visible pain, Morant downplayed the severity postgame.
“It was just like a little sting, funny bone,” he said after the loss to Atlanta. “I was good though.”
Still, the Grizzlies are opting to play it safe, holding him out as they evaluate the extent of the injury. And with the team sitting at 18-24 - currently 11th in the Western Conference - the timing couldn’t be more delicate.
Morant has only played in 20 games this season, and the Grizzlies are 7-13 in those contests. It’s a stat that doesn’t tell the whole story but does underscore how challenging it’s been for Memphis to find consistency, even with their franchise cornerstone back in the lineup.
Now, the situation gets even more complicated. For the first time in his seven-year career, Morant has reportedly been at the center of trade discussions. The Grizzlies are said to be listening to offers, a signal that the front office is at least open to reshaping the roster around a different core - or possibly retooling with Morant still in the picture but with a new supporting cast.
That’s a seismic shift for a franchise that has built its identity around Morant’s electric play and fearless attitude. He’s a two-time All-Star, a face of the league, and the heartbeat of this Memphis team - on and off the floor. But with injuries piling up and the season slipping away, the Grizzlies are facing tough questions about the direction of the franchise.
Morant is averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists this season, numbers that reflect both his playmaking ability and his importance to everything Memphis does. When he’s on, the Grizzlies’ offense flows with purpose. When he’s out, they struggle to generate the same spark.
As Memphis prepares to face a Pelicans team that's firmly in the playoff mix, they’ll have to do it without their star once again. And with the trade deadline looming and Morant’s health in question, the next few weeks could define not just the rest of this season - but the future of the franchise.